Damn. Europe was rockin'. There's no real way to recount four months of crazy cultural experiences and unbridled fun in a single post, plus I'd just feel like I was bragging. Along the way I saw some of the most beautiful places in the world, met some of the coolest people I could ever hope to meet (many of whom I hope to remain close with for the rest of my life), partied my ass off, traveled to incredible foreign cities nearly every weekend, and spent about a life's worth of savings.
For the love of God, if you ever have the chance, study abroad.
So I'm left here in America with a study abroad hangover (more so figurative, but literal to an extent as well). I'm definitely by no means depressed like I thought I'd be, heck I was even getting burned out from traveling. I'm going to miss the hell out of the friends I made and the novelty of being able to travel and spend money without thinking. I'm going to miss the raw energy of the clubs, being able to actually get beers at pubs, and walking by the Colosseum on a weekly basis. Already, all my memories of massive nights across Europe are developing that sort of hazy, epic aura that typify memories of the best days of your life.
I'm an optimist and I can't wait for what life has in store around the corner, but the past four months, without a doubt, have been highlights of my life. Specific highlights would have to include clubbing in Madrid, hiking through Cinque Terre, Oktoberfest(!), biking through Amsterdam, pub golf through Rome, and having only three days of "class". To say that my experiences changed me and my outlook on life would be an understatement.
So now it begins: Life after Europe. It will take some adjusting (I've pretty much put a permanent indent in my couch during the past three days), but I'm ready to tackle it with the words of a wise man in mind: "Try to remember always just to have a good time".
